Chapter 9
Eren
Why does it seem like whenever you’re trying to avoid someone, they’re everywhere? I’m going to go insane at this rate. Eren thought to himself as he hid behind the nearest corner he could find. His heart was pounding. This was the fourth time today he’d almost accidentally ran into the reason for his sneaking around. A certain Levi Ackerman, specifically.
Eren ran a hand down his face. Each sighting of the man came with sweaty palms and a mini heart attack. That can’t be healthy, can it? Eren put his health concerns in the back of his mind for the time being, instead deciding to peek around the edge of the wall to see if the coast was finally clear. With no Levi in sight, Eren let out a sigh of relief, closing his eyes as he leaned against the wall to take a deep breath.
“Jaeger, what the hell are you doing?” Levi asked from the other side of Eren, glowering at him.
Eren nearly shit his pants. He whirled around with a loud shriek, smacking his back harshly to the wall behind him.
“S-sir! I was just… uhh…” Eren stuttered. Eventually, he decided to just stop talking altogether. He was only digging himself into a deeper hole.
After a moment of silence between the two, Eren brought his gaze up to Levi’s face. If he didn’t know better, he’d say Levi almost looked amused.
“Why are you hiding?” Levi asked, a peculiar gleam in his eye.
“H-hiding? I wasn’t hiding, Sir!” Eren felt like he couldn’t breathe.
“Oh? Then why were you peeking around the corner like you didn’t want someone to see you?” Levi crossed his arms over his chest.
“I… I… ummm…” Eren sighed in defeat. He knew coming back to work was a bad idea.
“Just who are you hiding from? If you’re having problems with a co-worker, you’re welcome to speak up.” Levi said.
There he goes acting like he cares about me again.
“Oh no! It's nothing, Sir. I’m perfectly fine!” Eren smiled as sincerely as possible. He just wanted this day to be over.
Levi scrutinized him for a long moment, clearly seeing through Eren’s attempts to reassure him. Eren felt like he was shrinking beneath Levi’s silvery gaze that seemed to look through him instead of at him.
“It’s me, isn’t it? The one you’re avoiding?” Levi asked, leaving no room for argument. Eren knew he’d been caught.
Though, he was somewhat surprised that Levi had figured it out so quickly. He thought he was being pretty discreet about it.
“…. Yeah…” Eren replied, looking away. He almost felt ashamed.
Levi sighed and looked at his watch, deciding to put off his work for a few minutes. There was obviously something bothering the boy, and Levi wanted to know what.
“Eren, come with me. We need to talk this over.” He ordered. Eren felt his heart stop but followed regardless.
Soon, the pair walked into Levi’s office. Levi took his spot at his desk and gestured to the chair closest to him.
“Eren, please explain to me what the issue is,” Levi said. All of his attention was focused on the brunette.
Eren was silent for a second, thinking over the best way to go about this. He didn’t really want to die today.
“I-it’s the things I had said over the phone, Sir, when I accidentally dialed you instead of my Grandfather. I made a pretty big ass out of myself, and was really embarrassed about it…” He took a deep breath.
“The truth is, I find you very intimidating. You hold this air of control all the time that I find myself almost having to tip-toe around. But then you’re almost kind to me, giving me chances that you wouldn’t have even thought about had I been someone else. I just don’t know how to comprehend it all.”
By now, Eren was bright red, never being that good at expressing himself in this manner.
“Plus, calling your boss an asshole isn’t exactly the best way of getting on someone’s good side,” Eren added as an afterthought.
When Levi suddenly snorted at his comment, Eren though he was going to die right then and there. A snort was the last thing he’d expected from the man.
“You’re right, Eren. I know I put off a somewhat… intense aura. I look over a very large part of this company, I have to have the sort of personality that demands respect. What you said over the phone hadn’t bothered me at all. I know I’m an asshole. It's not hard to see.
But if I’m being completely honest, I don’t know why I’ve been so lenient with you. Your skills as an assistant are mediocre at best, but you’re an extremely hard worker and you don’t do anything half-assed. I’d much rather have an assistant like you, than someone vise versa.” Levi explained.
Eren just looked at him like a deer in the headlights. Levi rolled his eyes.
“Look, I like having you as my assistant. You’re refreshing to have around. So, if you’re comfortable with it, I’d like you to continue being my assistant.” Levi finished, leaving Eren to think about his words.
He likes having me as his assistant?
Eren felt giddy, all of his previous concerns slipping from his brain. Slowly, his lips parted into a wide grin that seemed to light up the whole room.
“Yes, Sir!”
“Good. I’ll let Hanji know. Now, if you’d be so willing, go get me some coffee.” Levi said. Right as Eren turned to leave, he could have sworn he saw a hint of a smile on the older man’s face.
~~~~
The rest of the day went on without a hitch. Eren found that he was able to fall back into place fairly quickly, but this time, a good portion of the pressure was lifted from his shoulders.
Obviously, the thought of Levi still made Eren’s stomach flutter, but Eren felt much more comfortable around the man now. This had to be one of the better days out of his time here so far.
Soon, the day was over and Eren began collecting his stuff. Before he headed out, Eren stopped by Levi’s office to say his farewells, who was also getting ready to leave.
“Goodbye, Sir. Have a wonderful night.” Eren offered politely. Levi slipped a stack of papers into his desk and stood. With a nod, he grabbed his coat and slipped it on, before moving over to where Eren stood.
“Goodnight, Eren. It’s good to have you back.” Levi said, a light curve to his lips. With that, Levi slid passed Eren and left.
Eren nodded and smiled to himself, much more enthusiastic about coming back now. He could feel the blush warming his face, but ignored it.
“It’s good to be here.” He thought to himself as he rode down the elevator.
Soon, the trio met back up at the car. Both Armin and Mikasa could tell something was up with Eren, but it was Armin who spoke up.
“What’s got you all cheery? You look like you’re about to explode in your seat.” Armin asked, intrigued by Eren’s excessively happy behavior.
“Nothing! Just in a good mood.” Eren replied. Armin gave him a knowing look but decided not to pry.
Mikasa is the one who initiated conversation this time.
“So, I’ve been transferred back to Hanji again. Does that mean you’re assisting Levi then, Eren? What happened to all of your embarrassment?” She glanced at him as she drove.
“Well… um… he caught me… hiding from him and we ended up talking some stuff through.” Eren explained as vaguely as he could. He didn’t really want to go into detail.
“Wait, you were hiding from him?” Armin asked loudly.
“Yes, Ar. I was hiding from him…” Eren started but was interrupted by Armin.
“Why?!”
Eren made some sputtering noises as he waved his hands around, trying to get his point across. “It’s not a big deal! Everything worked out, and I’ll be his assistant again.”
“Oh, so that’s what brought on this whole happy… thing.” Armin teased. “You like him, don’t you?”
“I do not! He's just kinda nice to be around once you get to know him a little.” Eren defended himself.
“I feel like you want to get to know him a lot more than just a little, Eren.”
“You think so? Well you know, I could say the same thing about you and Eyebrows.” Eren countered, throwing Armin’s teasing right back at him.
Armin blushed instantly. “S-shut up!”
Eren just snickered at the blonde. Bulls-eye.